Sales-tax Hike Tops Legislative Wish List

December 20, 1985|By Bob Kowalski, Staff Writer

A one-cent increase in the local sales tax and increased funding for low- and middle-income housing were among items Palm Beach County commissioners approved in their year-end wish list to the state Legislature on Thursday.

``I really think that if we have a shot at it, this would be the one, this would be the year,`` said Commissioner Ken Spillias of the sales tax hike the county wants to provide at least $90 million for new courthouse facilities.

The commission is to present that and other requests to the Palm Beach County state legislative delegation in late January. Among other items the commission wants the state to approve are:

(BU) An increase in the bed tax used to support local tourism efforts and, potentially, beach erosion projects.

(BU) Creation of a local juvenile welfare board that could have its own taxing authority and would provide youth services needed in the county.

(BU) Revisions to the state statute passed last spring that requires employers to notify their employees of any hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace. County officials complain the existing statute is inneffective and creates an unmanageable amount of paperwork for the county Fire-Rescue Department.

(BU) Authorization for cities in the county to annex enclaves of unincorporated property within their boundaries.

(BU) Placement of a proposed state lottery before voters in a statewide referendum.

Spillias said he did not support establishing such a lottery but agreed it should be placed before voters. Attempts to do so in recent years have been blocked by court proceedings.

``I personally do not feel a lottery is something that we should have; however, if that`s what the citizenry wants, that`s great,`` he said.

Adams has said he would push the legislative delegation to support granting the county the option to levy the 1-cent sales-tax increase to pay for needed court and jail expansions.

He said he will attempt to gain the support of Dade, Broward and Martin counties as well.

``I think we`ve got a pretty good argument on this,`` he said. ``The state is suing us because the jail facilities are inadequate.``

State Rep. Ray Liberti, a West Palm Beach Democrat and chairman of the county`s legislative delegation, has said he would listen to the county`s requests for such funding.

``There`s no doubt that there`s dire need,`` he said of the county`s criminal justice facilities. ``I tried to help them out last year.

Commissioner Dorothy Wilken suggested the commission also press the legislative delegation to eliminate the county`s Expressway Authority. Wilken said the county has adequate staff to handle the road planning the authority has undertaken.

``I think it`s duplication of available service,`` she said.

Other commissioners wouldn`t add that to the wish list Thursday but agreed to reconsider it in coming weeks.